Removing First Domain Controller

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill H
  • Start date Start date
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Bill H

I will be replacing my first domain controller (it will be
permanently removed), I have a second one already
installed. Are there any KB articles that I can refer to?
This server houses my DHCP Server and holds all roles.

Thanks.
 
Because in AD environment all DC's are more or less equal, you can easily
demote one dc, reinstall it and then promote it again. If you have already
one DC in place, then use following step to replace one of your DC's

1. Transfer your FSMO roles from your server (if it holds them) to another
server
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=255504
255504 - Using Ntdsutil.exe to Seize or Transfer FSMO Roles to a Domain
Controller
2. Install and configure DNS on your other server and assign this DNS to
your clients, so that during reinstallation your network still functions
3. Make sure, that your other DC is also a Global Catalog, because GC is
needed in AD network
4. Move DHCP to another server
For Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=325473
For Windows NT4/2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=130642

5. run dcpromo on your server that you wish to reinstall and remove AD
6. Reinstall the server....

--

Regards

Matjaz Ladava, MCSA, MCSE, MCT, MVP
Microsoft MVP Windows Server - Active Directory
(e-mail address removed), (e-mail address removed)
 
Bill,

I would simply make sure that you transfer all five of the FSMO roles from
the to-be-retired DC to the 'second one'. You can use the GUI for that or
you can use NTDSUtil. The GUI would be easier. Here are a couple of links
on how to do this:

Using NTDSUtil
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=255504

Using the GUI
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=255690

BTW - you might want to consider installing the Support Tools on all of your
Servers. The Support Tools can be located in two places: on the WIN2000
Server CD as well as on the WIN2000 Service Pack CD in the Support | Tools
folder. Additionally, you can download them from the MS website.

Technically speaking if you have two DCs and you dcpromo one that holds any
of the FSMO Roles during the dcpromo process the 'process' will transfer
what roles that DC holds to the other one. However, I like to be able to
control that so I always manually do it first!

You also want to make the 'second one' a Global Catalog Server - if you have
not already done so. Here is a link on how to do this:

How to Move or Create a Global Catalog Server
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=313994

I would suggest that you reboot the 'second one' once you have made it a
Global Catalog Server. If you have Exchange 2000 in your Organization you
might experience a hiccup in functionality if you do not make the 'second
one' a GC before you dcpromo the first one ( among with a couple of other
things - are you in Mixed Mode or Native Mode? ). Exchange really needs a
Global Catalog.

I would also install DNS on the 'second one' - if you have not already done
so. You would also need to update your DHCP Server to reflect the new
information in the Options section so that you clients have the proper
information.

HTH,

Cary
 
Hi Bill,

Running DCpromo will transfere the roles for you. Make sure that you are not
removing your last Global Catalog when you remove the first DC you
installed.

Regards,

--

Alan Sterling---MCSE
Windows 2000 Directory Services

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